Diane Keaton, Star of ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Godfather,’ Dies at 79
Diane Keaton, a beloved actor who had a decades-long acting career and brought to life some of the most memorable characters in film, has died at the age of 79. A family spokesperson confirmed she passed away in California, asking for privacy during this difficult time. Additional details aren’t currently available.
From her Oscar-winning role in Annie Hall to her unforgettable performances in “The Godfather,” “Something’s Gotta Give,” and “The First Wives Club,” Keaton was a force of nature. She was the rare star who felt both impossibly glamorous and hilariously down-to-earth. You could imagine her winning an Academy Award one night and then fumbling for her car keys the next morning, just like the rest of us.
The Career of Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton wasn’t just an actress; she had a unique fashion style. She made menswear a staple for women, single-handedly making vests and bowler hats cool. Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles, her acting career began in the 1970s. She was a frequent collaborator and muse for director Woody Allen.
Her range was impressive. She was the steady, conflicted Kay Adams-Corleone in “The Godfather” trilogy, holding her own in a world of cinematic titans. She was the heartwarming matriarch in “Father of the Bride,” making us all wish she were our mom. And who could forget her joining Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler to sing “You Don’t Own Me” in “The First Wives Club?”
Unapologetically Herself
Off-screen, Diane Keaton was just as captivating. She was famously single, choosing to adopt her two children, Dexter and Duke, on her own in her 50s. She once said, “I’m an oddball,” and we loved her for it. Her romantic history was the stuff of Hollywood legend, marked by relationships with icons such as Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, and Al Pacino. As she put it, “Talent is so damn attractive.”
In recent years, she has become an unexpected Instagram sensation, sharing her eccentric outfits, love for architecture, and hilarious takes on life with a refreshing honesty. She even starred in a Justin Bieber music video, because why not?
While we mourn the loss of Diane Keaton, a true original, her incredible body of work ensures that her laughter, style, and “la-di-da” will live on forever.
Update Oct 16, 2025
Since the writing of this article on October 11, 2025, Diane Keaton’s cause of death has been revealed. In a statement to People, her family disclosed that she died of pneumonia on October 11, 2025. They shared the following statement:
“The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11.
“She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.”
